betton alkmere farm, betton strange ... - planning.org.uk

Betton Alkmere Farm,Betton Strange, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 6HZ (19/04989/FUL).

Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI)for Archaeological Watching Brief

April 2021 v1.0

Project Code: A0304.1Planning Ref. 19/04989/FUL

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Betton Alkmere Farm,Betton Strange, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 6HZ (19/04989/FUL).

April 2021 v1.0

Project Code: A0304.1Date: 21/04/2021Client: Mr Peter [email protected]

Copyright Declara on:

Aeon Archaeology grants permission for the material presented within this report to be used by the archives/repository with which it is deposited, in perpetuity, although Aeon Archaeology retains the right to be iden fied as the author of all project documenta on and reports, as specified in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (chapter IV, sec on 79). The permission will allow the repository to reproduce material, including for use by third par es, with the copyright owner suitably acknowledged.

Disclaimer:

This Report has been prepared solely for the person/party which commissioned it and for the specifically tled project or named part thereof referred to in the Report. The Report should not be relied upon or used for any other project by the commissioning person/party without first obtaining independent verifica on as to its suitability for such other project, and obtaining the prior wri en approval of Aeon Archaeology. Aeon Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability for the consequences of this Report being relied upon or used for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was specifically commissioned. The en tlement to rely upon this Report rests solely with the person/party which commissioned it and does not extend to any other person/party. Aeon Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability for any use of or reliance upon this Report by any person/party other than the commissioning person/party.æ

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Aeon Archaeology – Betton Alkmere Farm – WSI 1.0 Page 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 2 2.0 WATCHING BRIEF - ARCHAEOLOGICAL AIMS ..................................................................................... 4 3.0 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Archaeological Watching Brief .................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Watching brief report .................................................................................................................................... 7

3.2.1 Post-excavation Assessment .................................................................................................................. 7 3.2.2 Post-excavation Report .......................................................................................................................... 7

4.0 DIGITAL DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN ..................................................................................................... 9 4.1 Type of study ................................................................................................................................................ 9 4.2 Types of data ................................................................................................................................................ 9 4.3 Format and scale of the data ......................................................................................................................... 9 4.4 Methodologies for data collection / generation............................................................................................. 9 4.5 Data quality and standards ............................................................................................................................ 9 4.6 Managing, storing and curating data. ............................................................................................................ 9 4.7 Metadata standards and data documentation .............................................................................................. 10 4.8 Data preservation strategy and standards .................................................................................................... 10 4.9 Suitability for sharing ................................................................................................................................. 10 4.10 Discovery by potential users of the research data ..................................................................................... 10 4.11 Governance of access ............................................................................................................................... 10 4.12 The study team’s exclusive use of the data ............................................................................................... 10 4.13 Restrictions or delays to sharing, with planned actions to limit such restrictions ..................................... 10 4.14 Regulation of responsibilities of users ...................................................................................................... 11 4.15 Responsibilities ......................................................................................................................................... 11 4.16 Organisational policies on data sharing and data security ........................................................................ 11

5.0 FURTHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS DESIGNS (FAWDs) .............................................................. 12 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES ................................................................................................................... 12 7.0 HUMAN REMAINS ...................................................................................................................................... 12 8.0 ARTEFACTS ................................................................................................................................................. 12 9.0 UNEXPECTED DISCOVERIES: TREASURE TROVE .............................................................................. 14 10.0 ARCHIVING ................................................................................................................................................ 14 11.0 PERSONNEL ............................................................................................................................................... 15 12.0 MONITORING AND LIAISON ................................................................................................................. 15 13.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY ............................................................................................................................ 15 14.0 INSURANCE .............................................................................................................................................. 15


1.0 INTRODUCTION

Aeon Archaeology has been commissioned by Mr Peter Hughes, hereafter the Client, to provide a

written scheme of investigation (WSI) for carrying out an archaeological watching brief during the

groundworks associated with the relocation of a general purpose agricultural building (Building 1) at

Betton Alkmere Farm, Betton Strange, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 6HZ (NGR SJ 50621 09153).

Full planning permission (19/04989/FUL) was secured from Shropshire Council by the Client on 28th

February 2020 with the following condition concerning archaeology being applied to the consent:

Condition 3

No development approved by this permission shall commence until the applicant, or their agents or

successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in

accordance with a written scheme of investigation. A written scheme of investigation shall be

submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority prior to the commencement of works.

Reason: The site is known to hold archaeological interest.

The use of such a condition is in line with guidance set out in Paragraphs 189 & 199, Section 16

(Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework

(Revised 2018), published by the Department for Communities and Local Government; Policy MD13

of the SAMDev component of the Shropshire Local Plan; and Managing Significance in Decision

Taking in the Historic Environment, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning: 2

(Historic England 2015).

The Senior Archaeological Advisor (SAA) at Shropshire Council (SC) made the following consultee

comments regarding the application:

The proposed development site is located c.95m north-east and within the setting of, the Scheduled

Monument of Moated site, fishponds and ridge and furrow cultivation remains, 260m south west of

Betton Alkmere (NHLE ref. 1019646).The proposed development site is located very close to, if not

crossed by, the projected line of the main Roman road west from Wroxeter to Forden Gaer (HER

PRN 00098), which excavations c.620m to the west, in advance of the extension of Bayston Hill

Quarry, indicate may have had Iron Age origin. As a consequence, the proposed development site is

considered to hold moderate-high archaeological potential.

With reference to Paragraph 189 of the NPPF and Policy MD13 of the Local Plan, a Heritage Impact

Assessment by Richard K Morriss & Associates has been submitted as part of any subsequent

planning application. In their consultation response of 11 December 2019 Historic England raise no

objections to the proposed development in relation to the setting of the Scheduled Monument. Given

this and the findings of the Heritage Impact Assessment we are likewise satisfied that, as the relocated

barn would be located in close proximity to other existing farm buildings and would therefore be

visually related to them, no harm would arise to the significance of the Scheduled Monument as a

result of the changes within its setting.

With regard to the Iron Age/ Roman road, the Heritage Impact Assessment reviews the available

evidence. It therefore concludes that ''in light of the possible line of a Roman road in the vicinity, an

appropriate level of archaeological watching brief be agreed with the county's archaeological

advisor'. Given this, and the assessed level of archaeological potential as set out above, it is advised

that a programme of archaeological works should be a condition of any planning permission if


relation to Policy MD13 of the Local Plan and Paragraph 199 of the NPPF. This should comprise an

archaeological watching brief during the ground works phase of the development.

The work will adhere to the guidelines specified in Standard and Guidance for Archaeological

Watching Brief (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2020).

Proposed development site

Aeon ArchaeologyRichard Cooke BA MA MCIfA

Obsidian Offices, Chantry Court,Chester CH1 4QN

Tel: 07866925393 / 01244 531585www.aeonarchaeology.co.uk

Figure 01: Loca on of proposed development site at Be on Alkmere Farm, Be on Strange, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 6HZ. Scale 1:20,000 at A4.

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2021

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Proposed development site




Figure 02: Loca on of proposed development site at Be on Alkmere Farm, Be on Strange, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 6HZ. Scale 1:5,000 at A4.

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2021

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Figure 03: Location of proposed development site at Betton Alkmere Farm, Betton Strange, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 6HZ. Scale 1:1,000 at A4.

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. Licence no. 100019980

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2.0 WATCHING BRIEF - ARCHAEOLOGICAL AIMS

The archaeological watching brief shall be maintained:

during all groundworks associated with the development (including landscaping, excavation

for foundation trenches and service trenches).

The CIfA maintains a standard for archaeological watching brief which states that:

An archaeological watching brief will record the archaeological resource during development within

a specified area using appropriate methods and practices. These will satisfy the stated aims of the

project, and comply with the Code of conduct and other relevant by-laws of CIfA.

An archaeological watching brief is defined by the CIfA as a formal programme of observation and

investigation conducted during any operation carried out for non-archaeological reasons (CIfA 2020).

The watching brief will take place within a specified area within the Site where there is a possibility

that archaeological deposits may be disturbed or destroyed.

The CIfA further identifies the purpose of a watching brief as allowing, within the resources available,

the preservation by record of archaeological deposits, the presence and nature of which could not be

established in advance of development or other potentially disruptive works.

It is also important to note that a watching brief provides an opportunity, if needed, for a signal to be

made to all interested parties, before the destruction of the archaeological materials, that an

archaeological find has been made for which the resources allocated to the watching brief itself are

not sufficient to support treatment to a satisfactory and proper standard.

A watching brief is, therefore, not intended to reduce the requirement for excavation or preservation

of known or inferred deposits, and it is intended to guide, not replace, any requirement for contingent

excavation or preservation of possible deposits.

The aims of the watching brief are:

To allow, within the resources available, the opportunity to gain information about and record

the presence/absence, nature and date of archaeological remains on the Site affected by

excavations and groundworks, the presence and nature of which could not be established with

sufficient confidence in advance of works which may disturb them.

To provide the facility to signal to the relevant authorities, before irreversible impact to

remains that an archaeological and/or historic find has been made for which the resources

allocated to the watching brief itself are inadequate to support their treatment to an adequate

and satisfactory standard.

The specific objectives of the watching brief are:

To observe and recover any artefacts of archaeological significance.

To record the location, dimensions and nature of any deposits, features, structures or artefacts

of archaeological significance.

To recover samples of any deposits considered to have potential for analysis for

palaeoenvironmental data should the opportunity arise.


3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Archaeological Watching Brief

The methodology for the watching brief has been prepared with reference to the CIfA’s document

Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Watching Brief (2020) and will be kept under constant

review during the project, in order to see how far it is meeting the terms of the aims and objectives,

and in order to adopt any new questions which may arise.

Curatorial monitoring of the archaeological work on behalf of the Council will be carried out by the

SAA at Shropshire Council. To facilitate the curatorial monitoring, the officer shall be provided with

a minimum of two weeks’ notice of the start of the archaeological work.

A suitably qualified and experienced archaeologist(s) from Aeon Archaeology will be commissioned

for the maintenance of the watching brief. On arrival on site, the archaeologist(s) will report to the site

manager and conform to the arrangements for notification of entering and leaving site. The

archaeologist(s) will keep a record of the date, time and duration of all attendances at site, the names

and numbers of archaeologists deployed and any actions taken. The archaeologist will be provided

with a Health & Safety Induction by the construction contractor and wear a safety helmet, safety

footwear and high visibility jacket/vest at all times.

If deposits and or artefacts are exposed during excavations for the development which require

recording and recovery, it may be necessary to delay works whilst the proper investigation and

recording takes place. Watching brief recording can often be undertaken without delay to

groundworks, depending upon the specific circumstances and flexibility of all the staff on site.

Within the constraints of the terms of the watching brief work, the archaeologist will not cause

unreasonable disruption to the maintenance of the work schedules of other contractors on site. In the

event of archaeological discoveries the treatment of which (either arising from the volume/quantity of

material and/or the complexity/importance of the material) is beyond the resources deployed the

Client will be notified and a site meeting/telephone consultation arranged with the SAA at Shropshire

Council. The aim of the meeting will be to confirm that an archaeological find has been made for

which the resources allocated to the watching brief itself are not sufficient to support treatment to a

satisfactory and proper standard and identify measures which would be sufficient to support treatment

to a satisfactory and proper standard prior to destruction of the material in question.

Any archaeological deposits, features and structures identified which can be investigated and recorded

under the terms of the watching brief will be excavated manually in a controlled and stratigraphic

manner sufficient to address the aims and objectives of the project – subject to the limitations on site

access.

It may not be necessary to excavate the complete stratigraphic sequence to geologically lain deposits

but the inter-relationships between archaeological deposits, features and structures will be

investigated sufficient to address the aims and objectives of the project and the complete stratigraphic

sequence to geologically lain deposits will be investigated where practicable.

The method of recording will follow the normal principles of stratigraphic excavation and the

stratigraphy will be recorded in written descriptions even where no archaeological deposits have been

identified. The archaeologist will record archaeological deposits using proformae recording forms and

locate them on a large-scale site plan related to the Ordnance Survey National Grid and Datum

references.


The groundworks excavations shall be undertaken using a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless

ditching bucket.

The drawn record will comprise plans at scale 1:20 and sections at scale 1:10; propriety electronic

hardware and software to prepare site drawings may be used as appropriate.

The photographic record will be maintained throughout using a digital SLR camera (Canon 600D) set

to maximum resolution (72 dpi) and all archaeological features will be recorded photographically with

photographs taken in RAW format and later converted to TIFF format for long-term storage and JPEG

format for presentation and inclusion in the archive. The standards for the digital archive will adhere

to those set out in ‘Digital Archiving: Appendix 6. Digital Archive Repository Requirements

(Archaeological Data Service, 2015).

The archive produced will be held at Aeon Archaeology under the project code A0304.1.


3.2 Watching brief report

3.2.1 Post-excavation Assessment

A report on the results of the watching brief, in accordance with the recommendations in Management

of Research Projects in the Historic Environment Project Manager’s Guide (Historic England 2015),

and in the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Standard and Guidance for an archaeological

watching brief (2020) will be required to be produced upon conclusion of the archaeological

fieldwork. The report will be completed within a maximum of two months of completion of work on

site and may include examination and quantification leading to the identification of function, form,

date, method of manufacture, material/fabric type, source, parallels, attributes and condition of

artefacts; of the exploitation of wild or domesticated resources; the reconstruction of environments;

and the nature of human populations.

Full analysis of the results of the project, including: dating and interpretation of excavated features;

pottery and other finds analysis; analysis of industrial residues by an appropriate specialist or

specialists; analysis of samples for environmental data (including pollen, plant macrofossils and

beetles) by an appropriate specialist or specialists; radiocarbon dating; discussion of the results in

their local, regional and national context, including relating the excavated features and

palaeoenvironmental data to evidence from nearby sites, and discussion of the results in their local,

regional and national context may be required.

The scope of post-excavation assessment will be subject to a specification for approval by the SAA at

Shropshire Council upon the conclusion of the fieldwork project and preliminary report.

3.2.2 Post-excavation Report

Following completion of the stages outlined above, a report will be produced that will include:

A non-technical summary.

A table of contents.

An introduction with acknowledgements, including a list of all those involved in the

project and the location and description of the site.

A statement of the project aims.

An account of the project methodology undertaken, with an assessment of the same to include

a statement on preservation bias and the means of data collection and sampling strategies.

A factual summary of the history, development and use of the site.

A statement setting out the nature, quantity and condition of the material archive

(artefacts and ecofacts) including commentary on any bias observed due to collection and

sampling strategies and commentary on long-term storage requirements.

A statement setting out the nature and quantity of the documentary archive (notes,

photographs, drawings, digital data).

A general site plan indicating the position and size of the areas subject to watching brief and

the locations of archaeological deposits identified and recorded during the works.

Plans and sections at appropriate scales, augmented with appropriate photographs. All plans

and sections will be related to the Ordnance Survey datum levels and to the

National Grid.

Other maps, plans, drawings, stratigraphic matrices and photographs as appropriate.

Summary assessment reports on the artefact, bio-archaeological, dating and other

assessments/analyses.

A discussion of the location, extent, date, nature, condition, quality and significance of

any archaeological deposits and finds identified during the project.

A discussion of any research implications arising from the archaeological work.


Notes on consultations with conservators and the nominated archive repository related to the

immediate and long-term conservation and storage requirements for the data held in the site

archive and recommendations of retention/discard of artefacts and ecofacts.

A bibliography of sources consulted.

Appendices to the report will include artefact catalogues, reports on assessments/analyses and

an index to the project archive and a statement on its location/proposed repository.

In addition the post-excavation report will summarise and draw together the findings of all of

the phases of work.

Illustrations will include plans of the location of the study area and archaeological sites. Historical

maps, when appropriate and if copyright permissions allow, will be included. Photographs of relevant

sites and of the study area where appropriate will be included.

A draft copy of the report will be sent to the SAA at Shropshire Council and to the client for comment

and approval prior to production of the final report.


4.0 DIGITAL DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN

4.1 Type of study

Archaeological watching brief during the groundworks associated with the relocation of a general

purpose agricultural building (Building 1) at Betton Alkmere Farm, Betton Strange, Shrewsbury,

Shropshire SY5 6HZ (NGR SJ 50621 09153).

4.2 Types of data

Photographs (RAW)

Context sheets (paper)

Photographic register (paper)

Drawings (drafting film)

Misc registers (paper)

Compiled report

4.3 Format and scale of the data

Photographs taken in RAW format and later converted to TIF format for long term archiving and

JPEG format for use in the digital report, converted using Adobe Photoshop. All photographs

renamed using AF5 freeware with the prefix (project code_frame number) and a photographic

metadata created using Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) or Access (.accdb).

Compiled report (including figures and plates) as .PDF files.

4.4 Methodologies for data collection / generation

Digital data will be collected / generated in line with recommendations made in the Chartered Institute

for Archaeologists (CIfA) Standard and Guidance for the Creation, Compilation, Transfer and

Deposition of Archaeological Archives (2014. Rev 2020). Sections 3.3.1 and 3.3.3 are relevant:

3.3.1 Project specifications, research designs or similar documents should include a project

specific Selection Strategy and a Data Management Plan.

3.3.3 Project designs or schedules of works etc should outline the methodology used in

recording all information, in order to demonstrate that all aspects of archive creation will

ensure consistency; for instance in terminologies and the application of codes in digital data

sets, highlighting relevant data standards where appropriate

4.5 Data quality and standards

Consistency and quality of data collection / generation shall be controlled and documented through

the use of standardised procedure as outlined in the WSI. This will include the use of standardised

data capture file formats, digital proformas, data entry validation, peer review, and use of controlled

vocabularies.

4.6 Managing, storing and curating data.

All digital data will be organised into Aeon Archaeology proformae project file systems and backed

up to the cloud using Digital River’s Crashplan with additional copies made to external physical hard

drive.


4.7 Metadata standards and data documentation

Digital metadata created using Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) or Access (.accdb) of all photographic plates.

Paper metadata created from Aeon Archaeology proformas for contexts, artefacts, environmental

samples, watching brief day sheets, trench sheets, and basic record sheets and then scanned to create

digital .PDF copies.

4.8 Data preservation strategy and standards

Long term data storage will be through the submission of digital (.PDF) reports to the regional

Historic Environment Record (HER); submission of digital (.PDF) reports and a project completion

form to the Oasis database; submission of the scanned (.PDF) archive, photographic plates (.TIF), and

metadata (.xlsx) (.accdb) to the Archaeology Data Service (ADS); and retention of copies of all digital

files at Aeon Archaeology on physical external hard drive and uploaded to the cloud.

4.9 Suitability for sharing

All digital data will be placed within the public realm (through the channels in 6.8) except for where

project confidentiality restricts the sharing of data. All data sets will be selected / discriminated by the

Senior Archaeologist at Aeon Archaeology and written permission will be sought from all project

specific Clients prior to the sharing of data.

4.10 Discovery by potential users of the research data

Potential users of the generated digital data (outside of the organisation) will be able to source the data

and identify whether it could be suitable for their research purposes through access granted via the

ADS and Oasis websites. Requests can also be made for data through the regional HER’s and directly

to Aeon Archaeology ([email protected]).

4.11 Governance of access

The decision to supply research data to potential new users will be via the associated website request

(ADS, Oasis, HER) or via the Senior Archaeologist when made directly to Aeon Archaeology.

4.12 The study team’s exclusive use of the data

Aeon Archaeology’s requirement is for timely data sharing, with the understanding that a limited,

defined period of exclusive use of data for primary research is reasonable according to the nature and

value of the data, and that this restriction on sharing should be based on simple, clear principles. This

time period is expected to be six months from completion of the project however Aeon Archaeology

reserves the right to extend this period without notice if primary data research dictates.

4.13 Restrictions or delays to sharing, with planned actions to limit such restrictions

Restriction to data sharing may be due to participant confidentiality or consent agreements. Strategies

to limit restrictions will include data being anonymised or aggregated; gaining participant consent for

data sharing; and gaining copyright permissions. For prospective studies, consent procedures will

include provision for data sharing to maximise the value of the data for wider research use, while

providing adequate safeguards for participants.

mailto:[email protected]


4.14 Regulation of responsibilities of users

External users of the data will be bound by data sharing agreements provided by the relevant

organisation or directly through Aeon Archaeology.

4.15 Responsibilities

Responsibility for study-wide data management, metadata creation, data security and quality

assurance of data will be through the Senior Archaeologist (Richard Cooke BA MA MCIfA) at Aeon

Archaeology when concerning data generation and early/mid-term storage. Upon deposition with

digital depositories the study-wide data management, metadata creation, data security and quality

assurance of data will be the responsibility of the specific organisations’ themselves.

4.16 Organisational policies on data sharing and data security

The following Aeon Archaeology policies are relevant:

Aeon Archaeology Archive Deposition Policy 2019

Aeon Archaeology Quality Assurance Policy 2019

Aeon Archaeology Conflict of Interest Policy 2019

Aeon Archaeology Outreach Policy 2019

Aeon Archaeology Digital Management Plan 2020


5.0 FURTHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS DESIGNS (FAWDs)

The discovery of substantial archaeological remains and/or features during the archaeological works

may result in the requirement for an extended programme of archaeological mitigation. This may

require the submission of revised quotes to the client as well as a new specification which will be

required to be approved by SAA at Shropshire Council prior to implementation.

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

Relevant archaeological deposits will be sampled by taking bulk samples (a minimum of 10.0 litres

and maximum of 30.0 litres) for flotation of charred plant remains. Bulk samples will be taken from

waterlogged deposits for macroscopic plant remains. Other bulk samples, for example from middens,

may be taken for small animal bones and small artefacts.

Bulk environmental samples will also be taken from any fills, deposits or structures which yield

archaeological artefacts, charcoal flecks/ fragments, bone, or any other historic remains.

Advice and guidance regarding environmental samples and their suitability for radiocarbon dating, as

well as the analysis of macrofossils (charcoal and wood), pollen, animal bones and molluscs will be

obtained from Oxford Archaeology.

For guidance purposes the following volume criteria represent the minimum feature sampling

requirements:

50% of each discrete feature (e.g. pits and postholes)

25% of the exposed areas of each liner feature and all terminals/intersections

50% of structural features (e.g. beamslots, ring-ditches)

50%-100% of domestic/industrial working features (e.g. hearths and ovens)

7.0 HUMAN REMAINS

Any finds of human remains will be left in-situ, covered and protected, and both the coroner and the

SAA at Shropshire Council and the Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic England informed. If

removal is necessary it will take place under appropriate regulations and with due regard for health

and safety issues. In order to excavate human remains, a licence is required under Section 25 of the

Burials Act 1857 for the removal of any body or remains of any body from any place of burial. This

will be applied for should human remains need to be investigated or moved.

8.0 ARTEFACTS

All artefacts and ecofacts will be retrieved for identification and recording and will be treated in

accordance with CIfA 2008 Guidelines for the collection, documentation, conservation and research

of archaeological materials (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014).

All artefacts are the property of the landowner but it is recommended that finds are deposited with the

rest of the project archive within an appropriate museum. Furthermore, the client agrees to granting

access to all artefacts recovered by Aeon Archaeology for analysis, study and publication as

necessary. All finds would be treated according to advice provided within First Aid for Finds (Rescue

1999). Aeon Archaeology staff will undertake initial identification, but any additional advice would

be sought from a wide range of consultants.


The recovery policy for archaeological finds will be kept under review throughout the archaeological

works. Any changes in recovery priorities will be under guidance from an appropriate specialist and

agreed with the SAA at Shropshire Council. There will be a presumption against the disposal of

archaeological finds regardless of their apparent age or condition.

All finds will be collected and processed including those found within spoil tips. Their location and

height will be plotted; finds numbers attributed, bagged and labelled as well any preliminary

identification taking place on site. Where specialist advice is required provision will be made to do so

at the earliest possible convenience.

After processing, artefacts which are suitable will be cleaned and conserved in-house. Artefacts

requiring specialist cleaning and conservation will be sent to the relevant specialist. All artefacts will

then be sent to a specialist for analysis, the results of which will then be assessed to ascertain the

potential of the finds assemblage to meet the research aims of the project. The value of the finds will

also be assessed in terms of the wider educational and academic contributions.

Depending upon the material of the remains the following experts will be consulted regarding the

conservation of waterlogged material:

Organic material: Mr Phil Parkes, Cardiff Conservation Services (tel: +44(0)29 2087 5628)

Non-organic material: Mr Phil Parkes, Cardiff Conservation Services (tel: +44(0)29 2087

5628)

Depending upon the material of the remains the following experts will be consulted regarding the

conservation and analysis of artefacts:

Bone: Nora Bermingham

Glass: Hilary Cool, Barbican Research Associates.

Metal artefacts: Phil Parkes, Cardiff Conservation Services, Cardiff.

Slag, burnt clay, hammerscale: Dr. Tim Young, Geoarch, Cardiff.

Stone artefacts: George Smith, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Bangor.

Wood artefacts: Jane Foley, Foley Conservation, Builth Wells.

Leather: Quita Mould, Barbican Research Associates.

Environmental Material: Dr Mike Allen, Allen Environmental Archaeology.

Numismatics: Peter Guest, Barbican Research Associates.

Ceramics: Leigh Dodd


9.0 UNEXPECTED DISCOVERIES: TREASURE TROVE

Treasure Trove law has been amended by the Treasure Act 1996. The following are Treasure under

the Act:

Objects other than coins any object other than a coin provided that it contains at least 10%

gold or silver and is at least 300 years old when found.

Coins all coins from the same find provided they are at least 300 years old when found (if the

coins contain less than 10% gold or silver there must be at least 10. Any object or coin is part

of the same find as another object or coin, if it is found in the same place as, or had previously

been left together with, the other object. Finds may have become scattered since they were

originally deposited in the ground. Single coin finds of gold or silver are not classed as

treasure under the 1996 Treasure Act.

Associated objects any object whatever it is made of, that is found in the same place as, or

that had previously been together with, another object that is treasure.

Objects that would have been treasure trove any object that would previously have been

treasure trove, but does not fall within the specific categories given above. These objects have

to be made substantially of gold or silver, they have to be buried with the intention of

recovery and their owner or his heirs cannot be traced.

The following types of finds are not treasure:

Objects whose owners can be traced.

Unworked natural objects, including human and animal remains, even if they are found in

association with treasure.

Objects from the foreshore which are not wreck.

All finds of treasure must be reported to the coroner for the district within fourteen days of discovery

or identification of the items. Items declared Treasure Trove become the property of the Crown.

The British Museum will decide whether they or any other museum may wish to acquire the object. If

no museum wishes to acquire the object, then the Secretary of State will be able to disclaim it. When

this happens, the coroner will notify the occupier and landowner that he intends to return the object to

the finder after 28 days unless he receives no objection. If the coroner receives an objection, the find

will be retained until the dispute has been settled.

10.0 ARCHIVING

A draft copy of the report will be produced within two months of the completion of the fieldwork and

sent to the Client and the SAA at Shropshire Council for comment prior to finalisation of the report

and dissemination. Bound copies of the report and an archive CD will be sent to the regional HER,

and the Oasis online database for long term archiving. Furthermore, a summary of the project will be

sent to relevant journal for publication if required.


11.0 PERSONNEL

The work will be managed by Richard Cooke BA MA MCIfA, Archaeological Contractor and

Consultant at Aeon Archaeology.

12.0 MONITORING AND LIAISON

Regular liaison and site monitoring meetings will take place during all stages of work. The SAA at

Shropshire Council will be informed of the start date and of discreet subsequent stages.

13.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY

Aeon Archaeology has a Health and Safety Policy Statement which can be supplied upon request.

Furthermore, site-specific Risk Assessments and Method Statements are compiled and distributed to

every member of staff involved with the project prior to the commencement of works.

14.0 INSURANCE

Liability Insurance

Employers’ Liability: Limit of Indemnity £10m in any one occurrence

Public Liability: Limit of Indemnity £2m in any one occurrence

Legal Defence Costs (Health and Safety at Work Act): £100,000

The current period expires 07/09/21

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Limit of Indemnity £500,000 any one claim

The current period expires 07/09/21

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